The “trail boss” is in charge during any trip, but the safety of the participants is the responsibility of the all of the leaders on every trip. Here are some safety reminders:

1. Have head counts or buddy-system checks frequently
2. Always watch for dangerous or possibly dangerous situations
3. Make sure the leaders are CPR certified and trained in basic first aid
4. Let the leaders know the plan of action for foul weather, lost persons, accidents and injuries, and special dangerous situations.
5. At trips or events, prohibit the youth from being without a leader unless they are within the confines of a safe area.
6. Constantly update safety information and recording.
7. Keep records of all safety instruction times.
8. Carry an emergency medical kit, and keep fully stocked at all times.
9. Carry a toolbox with tools necessary for basic repair.
10. Take a cellular phone on all trips in case of an emergency.
11.  Carry two-way radios (one for each vehicle) to maintain contact on trips.

Transportation One of the most difficult situations ministries face occurs in the area of transportation. Although difficult, it is not impossible to overcome with good planning and sign-ups.

Your policy should be:

1. All occupants must wear seat belts at all times.
2. The allowable occupancy of any vehicle is the number of seat belts available for use.
3. A staff member is responsible for inspecting all vehicles used for ministry functions to assure that each vehicle is safe.
4. The youth director approves each driver.
5. The driver must be twenty-one years of age and have bought at least $100,000 in bodily-injury coverage for one person, $300,000 in bodily injury-coverage for all persons in an accident, and $50,000 in property-damage coverage.
6.  At no time will students be drivers on trips, activities, or events when your ministry is traveling as a group.
7. Students may not drive their own vehicles on a trip, event, or activity when the youth is traveling as a group, even with parental permission.
8. When traveling with students on a trip, all traffic laws (including speed limits) will be obeyed.
9. The vehicle will be operated in a safe and normal driving fashion. A
10. t no time should anyone hang anything out of the windows, including body parts.
11. All music played in the vehicle will be Christian music.
12. Sound levels need to allow the driver to safely operate the vehicle.
13. Drinking and eating in the vehicles should be at a minimum;
14. On long trips, the two leaders or adult sponsors are in the front seats.
15.  If more than one ministry vehicle goes on a trip, the vehicles should stay within sight of one another at all times.
16. Use of cell phones in a moving vehicle must be done hands free.
17. All youth leaders get their commercial driver’s licenses, or at least a class E.

Trips, Events, and Activities All trips, events, activities will be governed by the following rules:

• Staff and/or the youth leaders shall supervise during all activities.
• There should be at least one staff member or youth leader for every fourteen students.
• Each participant shall sign a waiver and release form that is kept on file with the church.
• Each parent or guardian shall be informed of the trip details by the staff prior to departure.
• Permission slips are required for activities that are high risk, for trips involving an overnight stay, or for traveling more than twenty miles out of your community (one way)
• Drivers must not drive for more than four consecutive hours at a time.
• No event or activity should interfere with school.
• Headsets should not be allowed on any youth trip because:

1. they hinder interaction with group members,
2. make it difficult for leaders to get students to listen
3. play music that cannot be monitored, 
4. can be broken on the trip,
5. Music (CDs, tapes, and radio) must be Christian.
6. Students may bring music (upon approval of the trip leader) to be played through the auto system.

• Because of legal and health concerns, students, staff, or youth leaders should not smoke at any ministry event.
• No fireworks are to be taken on any trips.
• No knives (unless specifically approved by the youth leader) are approved.
• No public display of affection.
• Movies, videos, and DVDs will all be rated G or PG.
• All students should have the opportunity to take part in a life-changing trip that will last in their memories for a lifetime!